Private company says it won't take Rose-Tu's calf from zoo
PORTLAND, Ore. – The private company that owns the new elephant calf at the Oregon Zoo said Tuesday evening it has no intention of taking the animal from the zoo.
After media reports erupted that the baby elephant was actually owned by the California elephant rental company, Have Trunk Will Travel, fear that the animal would be drafted into the circus spread.
Oregon Zoo officials insisted Tuesday that the new elephant will stay at the Oregon zoo for life. Later in the day, Have Trunk Will Travel released the following statement, saying it has never wanted to take the baby elephant from the zoo:
Have Trunk Will Travel has no intention and has never had any intention of coming to take Rose-Tu’s calf. Have Trunk Will Travel supports Oregon Zoo’s vision for elephants and has great appreciation for the way they care for elephants. We are very proud of the significant contribution we have made together for Asian elephants.
We could not be more excited about the birth of this new calf.
Many of the animals at the Oregon Zoo live under contract and are on loan for breeding, according to zoo officials.
And 99 percent of the time the animals, like Rose-Tu's baby, stay put, according to the Oregon Zoo's deputy director Chris Pfefferkorn.
The issue of animal ownership at zoos came to the forefront after news broke late Monday night that the Oregon Zoo's new, as yet unnamed pachyderm calf, is not owned by the zoo but by Have Trunk Will Travel.
At the zoo there are animals from all over, including Miami, San Diego and Racine, Wis. that are technically on loan.
More than 140 Asian elephants are part of a worldwide species survival program, sharing mating partners to preserve the species. They are all available to loan from zoo to zoo or private companies to help make sure the best possible mates match for breeding.
"More often than not we're sustaining the population so offspring is allowed to go to other zoos, and the population is allowed to grow," said Pfefferkorn.
The bigger the gene pool, the better, and elephants aren't the only animals sent out to breed. Other animals include birds, reptiles, fish, chimpanzees, tigers and lions.
Odds are some of the animals seen every day at the Oregon Zoo are loaners – like the lions.
"(The) lions came from San Diego, Virginia Zoo, and the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin, and we have loan agreements with them," said Pfefferkorn.
The lions have been at the Oregon Zoo since about 2007.
It's the same story for a number of other species – none who've outworn their welcome, including Lance the crocodile on loan from a private company since 1990.
"It's been 22 years, and he hasn’t gone anywhere yet. We keep providing updates on the animal's condition to the owner, and they have no intention of moving him," said Pfefferkorn. "I think people need to understand that ownership doesn't determine location. Everybody I've worked with, they're very clear the welfare of the animals is No. 1."
The species survival programs oversee all the mating matchups for elephants, chimpanzees, slender snouted crocodiles and other species.
The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has to give its stamp of approval before any zoo or private company can participate.
Zoos are evil. Humans are evil. Exploitation of animals is sick and anyone that enjoys observing wild animals caged up in their UNNATURAL habitat is pathetic. Â
While this elephant and other inhabitants of the zoo are remarkable creatures, they DO NOT deserve to be locked up in staged settings to look like the real thing. Elephants especially, they usually have miles and miles of Earth to reside, not a small enclosure.  Unless one is helping a species from extinction, there is NO logical reason to exploit animals.  So sad. So very sad.Â
 @MrAchilles I agree that it is sad to lock animals up ... especially large animals in smaller habitats. However, I think that zoos do serve a purpose to educate children and help connect them to nature and animals, and to encourage conservation. The more people get detached from nature, the more they wan't to get rid of it. I had a friend who grew up in a "concrete jungle", and his opinion was that forests and jungles are places to be developed and exploited and nothing else.
Get a book. Make your children read about wild animals. Oh and they also have pictures. Humans are inherently evil and animals are inherently innocent. We have a bad habit of exploiting the innocent.
 @MrAchilles If it wasn't for the Oregon Zoo I wouldn't have had the passion I do for protecting animals and saving their Habitats.  I have also seen so often life for animals in the wild and it isn't easy.  They don't just wonder around in joy.  Every single day is a fight for their life.  No breaks. Â
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In a place like a good Zoo these animals are very lucky.  It's not like they're pulled from the wild anymore.  They are all either bred from other captive animals or are rescued animals that couldn't be released back into the wild.  Let alone Zoo's do a good job to prevent a species from going extinct.  Good luck finding any wild Tigers in 10  years.Â
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I am against wild animals being privately owned and exploited.  Like those horrible small zoo's, circuses/carnivals, and everyday people who buy them as babies and leave them in garages.  But well respected institutions who give them a decent home and great care I am totally for until mankind as a whole can stop destroying their habitats and killing them off.
I'm just wondering why the zoo would sell the baby in the first place. The whole thing seems strange. I now have less respect for the zoo, to make a deal with a group like this. I could see if another reputable zoo wanted an elephant and paid our zoo to make one for them, or if a conservation group paid for it. but not an elephant for hire group with a tarnished record.
The baby was not sold, they had a pre-existing agreement with the owners of the father (Tusko) from years ago that some of the offspring would technically be owned by the same company, and some of the offspring would be owned by the zoo. That was part of the terms of their contract. They did not go out and sell the baby! And from what I can tell, the baby will stay at the zoo regardless of who owns it.
 @Beergod Are you sure the baby was sold? Usually when an animal is born at a zoo, the owner of the mother is usually the owner of the baby. Maybe Rose-Tu is owned by "Have Trunk Will Travel"?
I am pretty sure Rose-tu is owned by the zoo, but Tusko (the father) is not.
GREED.Â
How many people here go to the circus, and if so what about those "other" animals? This seems to have become an issue because it involves an animal born it this cities zoo. It's like some parental instinct kicked in and no way is this going to happen to our baby, but who cares if it happens to others.
I agree, it seems people should be more upset that an organization like HTWT even exists, let alone that they lay claim to "our" baby.  I support people's rights to petition and protest the zoo, but it's not going to do any good. It seems if people don't like the way HTWT does business and handles their animals, protesting the zoo seems counter-productive.
OK Guys, you can do all the damage control you want. But at the end of the day, you have damaged the zoo's reputation among its supporters
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Personally, I understand that zoos loan each other animals all the time, at that some of these "loans" are really transfers, with no real chance of the animal being returned. I think the vast majority of zoo patrons understand this, and accept it as a valuable way to build populations or just match animals with homes.
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But HTWT is not a zoo. Leaving aside the question of whether it properly cares for animals or not, it is a business that buys, sells, and rents animals for money. That, at least in the minds of many zoo supporters, is a very different type of organization than a zoo.
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Obviously most zoo supporters were not aware of the zoo's relationship with organizations of this type, and many of those supporters object to it. And while there may be a gentlemen's agreement to leave this baby elephant in Portland, there is nothing agreed to for future offspring of Tusko Further, there is a need for disclosure of how many other such relationships exist.
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The Zoo has maintained that this is a common practice among zoos, and that they have done nothing unusual or untoward in this matter. That may very well be, but they are guilty of blindsiding their supporters. The zoo needs to remember that they are a "luxury", supported by patrons and taxpayers. As such, they have a responsibility to understand and manage the relationship and expectations of their supporters.
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Surprise articles in the Seattle Times that a beloved baby elephant is owned by a circus is not the way to build that relationship.
I'm at a total loss on this one.. So this zoo has come to the portland taxpayer asking for and received funds to operate and grow, all to find out the zoo is doing back door deals with people who abuse Elepants, this is a fact..
So, now that the zoo has lied and said " there is no deal like that " and " we have no idea what you are talking about "... what next..  So, I believe the zoo director should come forward and talk to the people here and tell us what the plan is, what they plan to do, and if this will cost the Oregon taxpayer.. Face it folks, when you have been given 40 million dollars from taxpayers you need to step up and tell them what you plan to do with that money..
But, instead the zoo has decided to lie to us, play like we are all idiots.. Kim Smith, this won't go away !!!!
Why are you surprised? Animals have been exploited since the early 1900s. Sick! I say put some humans in a cage and let the animals view them as entertainment. Domestic animals have a better life than any of these so called zoos and circuses. Quite frankly they deserve to be in their own habitat, Africa. There is no reason other than to assist in extinction to exploit wild animals. humans are evil!
 @MrAchilles Obviously you've never seen a side show or at least the movie Freaks.
Humans are NOT innocent and can exploit themselves if they need to. Animals ARE innocent and do not deserve to be exploited.
The zoo has never lied about it. The fact that not all the animals are owned by the zoo has always been known. Maybe not to you, but if you actually research the history of the elephants and other animals at the zoo the information it's not a secret.
 @yahdayahda THANK YOU.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57557182/clinton-calls-on-world-leaders-to-end-african-elephant-slaughter/
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More sad elephant news! : (
Please take the time to read the link below and watch the video. "Have Trunk Will Travel" is the company that owns the new calf "technically". They do not have the best reputation.
NONE of these exploiters have a good reputation. They all abuse and use for greed.
http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=2119&ssi=7
Really.
How much does it cost to buy the daddy elephant?
Because I kind of want him, too.
"Trunks for Bucks" can you please tell me.
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Whew!
All is right with the world now.
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#sarcasm
Why did this information have to come from the Seattle Times?  Wasn't someone aware of this locally?
It is sad that any elephant is with HTWT. It is no life for these beautiful intelligent animals.Â
Thank you for clarification of the article I read on Yahoo. (duh). I am somewhat reassured by the statements released from the "Have Trunk Will Travel" folks. How strange that I first read a contract to take the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, offspring. Bleck. How is the boy elephant doing and where is he now?
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Sounds like slavery or something. I am not for it. That being said, I figure a live birth alone is good enough for any "father" - Rose Tu and his baby is here to stay, bless their hearts.Â
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Leave our elephants here, alone.Â
And by the way, "Have Trunk", Â HOW MUCH do you want for the father?
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I'd love to raise that $ and take him so he can enjoy, also.
Sounds like most of you who are complaining about this arrangment have no idea what you're talking about. Sounds like a bunch of 7 year olds yelling about elephant rights.
 @Knud Rasmussen Sounds like you don't like baby elephants. Why are you here?
It doesn't sound like that at all to me, Sherrie - Knud is just telling it like it is! This arrangement sounds like the best way to preserve the elephants or any other species to me - one entity cannot afford to keep all the animals that are necessary to keep a species alive and thriving, allowing for the best possible diverse gene pool. Too bad a lot of the people on here can't understand that! But what do you expect from the people on this forum - there is limited intelligent life here!!!
 @musiclover Well for one thing, I'm not 7. For another, I'm not yelling. Furthermore, I am not purporting to be an expert in "this arrangement". Naturally Knud is not telling it "like it is".Â
Even if I can't figure out the father's name (rumplestilskin) the baby calf  stays here. End of discussion.
 @musiclover you sure as heck don't know much at all about elephants and the Oregon Zoo's history, do ya?
Do not, under any circumstances, mess with Portland's elephants. Call us hicks, Call us backwater, Call us liberals. We don't care. Our elephants are sacred.
"Many of the animals at the Oregon Zoo live under contract and are on loan for breeding, according to zoo officials."
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Totally wrong. They should belong to the Zoos and not be simply an asset for making money for anyone.
In a perfect world, you're right, but it's not gonna happen. No zoo can afford it.Â
I have a feeling they would have to drive their truck over a lot of Oregonians if they tried to remove the baby. But this whole arrangement makes no sense to me. I can understand animals being on loan from other zoos, but from a private company? No way. This needs to get fixed.
 @john many truck fulls, anyone tries to remove the baby.. i will so be there. rose tu ain't gonna see her baby leave portland, bro.
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Loved watching the videos of Rose-Tu and Baby... that baby looks like a iive stuffie... just w-a-y too cute..! Â :)
The Portland zoo needs to have some serious administrative review of their breeding programs and animal ownership
@Rob C 503 - So you've given us your opinion (everybody has one) now give us your solution. Oh wait you don't have one...sigh.
Just my feeling, but I think I'd feel better about this baby's future at the Oregon Zoo if there was a WRITTEN addendum to that contract, spelling out that Rose-Tu's new baby elephant will remain at the Oregon Zoo; perhaps even changing ownership to the Oregon Zoo (which is what they say they are "negotiating").
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Since the present arrangement (contract) gives ownership of the new baby to HTWT, but their "intent" is to leave the baby at the Oregon Zoo, then there shouldn't be any problem getting this confirmed in proper legal format... that way, if there should be a change in HWT ownership/management down the road, there would be no question of somebody changing their mind and demanding that the baby be turned over to them.
I wouldn't believe a word any of them says, to the point I wouldn't believe them if they said it's Dec. & it rains in Oregon!!
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I think the zoo needs to come to an agreement with this "elephant rental" company about a price and buy this baby, so that she can stay with her mother for life, as elephants do in their natural world. Â I am sure that with the love that is pouring out for this baby and the elephant program at Oregon zoo, that money could be raised for the baby's purchase. Â I know I'd certainly be glad to chip in and am sure many Oregonians would do the same. Â
"Have Trunk Will Travel" has been under investigation many times for animal abuse. Why does the Portland Zoo have any relationship at all with these people? $$$$$$$. It's really that simple. The zoo needs new leadership. We need to demand accountability for the animals that are, in the end, in the care of the citizens of the City of Portland. We can do better!Â
Can we get this in writing that they will not take her? And the zoo should no longer do business with HTWT..They abuse animals...Shame on the Zoo they have lost my support...........
 @poodlemÂ
Your support is needed; now more than ever.
Don't give up; stand tall.
It will be all right. We will make it so.
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I sincerely hope that the baby elephant stays. I realize that a contract is a contract but it would break my daughter's heart if she knew that this baby was going to an agency notorious for animal abuse.
Just now heard from KATU saying they just heard from HTWT saying that they have NO intention of taking this baby and that they're thrilled over her coming. I hope this is said in the care and love it's interpreted it to be. I'm still curious as to why The Seattle Times brought this out??? I'm SO glad they did...but they also have an elephant conservation program going on at their Woodland Park Zoo...shouldn't they be questioning they're motives? I mean...do they also have a contract with HTWT??
 @fracas I think The Seattle Times brought it out because it's newsworthy and it  needed to be brought out for the public to know. At least someone brought it out....even if we had to get the news from Seattle.
@whirledworld @fracas Oh I agree....but how about their news? Does The Woodland Park Zoo not have this type of program going on? They also have an elephant conservacy program. I just wonder why they haven't focused on themselves. Also, I find it strange that they decided to bring this out now, while we in Portland are adoring and trying to name her. This is something they just found out? I highly doubt that. Wonder what their agenda was...to bring in more readership?